Hashimoto's Disease Treatment in Woburn, MA

Hashimoto's disease, also known as Hashimoto's thyroiditis, is a chronic autoimmune disease. Hashimoto's disease causes the body's immune system to attack healthy thyroid tissue, which can result in damage to thyroid cells and the inability to create the thyroid hormone, T4 (Thyroxine). If you're interested in learning more about Hashimoto's thyroiditis, please call (781) 933-4200 or contact Dr. Joseph Kaye online.

Symptoms of Hashimoto's Disease

One of the most frightening aspects of Hashimoto's disease is that it may initially show no symptoms. One of the first signs of Hashimoto's disease for many patients is an enlarged thyroid, colloquially referred to as a goiter.

The main effect of Hashimoto's disease is a deficiency of thyroid hormone, also referred to as hypothyroidism. The common signs of thyroid hormone deficiency include:

Those who have had previous thyroid surgery, or have suffered from hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism in the past, are at a much higher risk of contracting Hashimoto's disease. If you've struggled with thyroid complications and are seeing these symptoms, please call (781) 933-4200 or contact Dr. Joseph Kaye online.

Causes of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

There is a bigger risk of Hashimoto's thyroiditis for those suffering from other autoimmune diseases, such as:

Hashimoto's is caused primarily by the inflammation of the thyroid gland. This inflammation is frequently induced by a viral illness, or may stem from issues such as GI inflammation, obesity and even genetic components. The disease can also be caused by age, weight and may even be hereditary.

The thyroid gland plays a major part in pregnancy; it's worth discussing Hashimoto's disease with a doctor if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant.

Hashimoto's Disease Treatment

While there's no cure for Hashimoto's disease, it's easily treatable. The most common and most effective treatment for Hashimoto's thyroiditis is hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Here, your doctor will balance your hormones by providing thyroid replacement hormones or supplementation. Your doctor will also search for the root cause of the autoimmune disorder and work to modulate the immune system.

These supplements are typically taken orally, with a pill or tablet, but other delivery methods are available. Your doctor may recommend bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), which has the advantage of using chemically-identical hormones to those found in your body, rather than the synthetic hormones of conventional HRT.

Hormone therapy is a proven method for stopping Hashimoto's disease, reducing the size of goiters and providing relief.

Seek Treatment Now

Hashimoto's disease can cause serious health complications. If you're noticing signs or symptoms, the best course of action is to have your thyroid levels checked. To set up a consultation about Hashimoto's thyroiditis, please call (781) 933-4200 or contact Dr. Joseph Kaye online.